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UKWA recognises the best of the UK’s logistics industry

Jul 19, 2019

Companies and individuals across the logistics sector were rewarded for their outstanding performance and professionalism at the UKWA Awards 2019, which took place in the presence of HRH, the Princess Royal, at London’s Dorchester Hotel on June 27th.

UKWA CEO, Peter Ward, commented: “UKWA’s Annual Lunch and Awards has always been widely regarded as one of the premier occasions in the logistics industry’s calendar, but this year felt extra special. Perhaps it was the presence of HRH The Princess Royal or the fact that throughout 2019 UKWA is commemorating its 75th year, but there was certainly a ‘buzz’ among the sell-out crowd at the Dorchester throughout the day.

“Our Awards are established as symbols of achievement that emphasise the importance of logistics within today’s economy and the high number and quality of the entries we receive each year underlines the professionalism that runs through the modern logistics industry.

“The Awards reward the developments in new technology that are shaping the way supply chains operate, highlight the importance of training and education within our industry and show the career opportunities that the modern logistics industry offers to ambitious and hard working young people.

“By showcasing all that is good about our sector UKWA’s Awards amply demonstrate that our industry is fit for purpose and ready to meet the challenges of the digital world today and in the years to come.

“Congratulations to all the finalists and, of course, the winners and special thanks to our sponsors for their outstanding support.”

A total of 10 UKWA Awards were presented and the winners were:

• Best New UKWA Member - Sponsored by Aganto

Winner: Karl King Transport

A corporate award given to the company showing the highest professional standards of warehousing on joining UKWA, this year’s Best New UKWA Member was Karl King Transport. Karl King Transport was founded in 1991 and the company’s fast and reliable distribution and warehousing services and 300,000 sq ft of modern bonded warehousing have established it as a leader in the storage and delivery of goods entering the UK through the ports of Felixstowe, Ipswich and Harwich.

• Young Employee of the Year - Sponsored by Hoppecke

Winner: Ryan Walker, 3P Logistics

HRH Highness, the Princess Royal presented the Young Employee of the Year award to Ryan Walker of 3P Logistics (3PL). Ryan, 22, joined 3PL in September 2015 as a customer care advisor, and has impressed everyone with his attitude to customer service, problem solving and attention to detail. According to senior management at 3PL, he consistently demonstrates outstanding personal and professional qualities and leadership potential.

• Warehouse Manager of the Year - Sponsored by Hormann

Winner: Craig Perrin, Hemisphere Freight

The judges were seeking an individual with excellent personal and professional qualities and Hemisphere Freight’s Craig Perrin was their unanimous choice. Over the course of more than 10 years, Craig Perrin has grown from working part time in Hemisphere’s warehousing operation to become the company’s UK Warehousing and Transport Manager. Craig was nominated by Danny Salt, Hemisphere Freight Services Ltd’s Financial Director, who says that during his upward career trajectory, Craig has shown remarkable passion, drive and business acumen and demonstrated exceptional leadership.

• Award for Innovation - Sponsored by Elokon

Winner: Pallite

Pallite collected this year’s UKWA Technology and Innovation Award for its range of 100 per cent recyclable pallets, pallet boxes, layer pads and other packaging products – the latest addition to which is Pallite Pix, a collection of lightweight, flexible and strong storage and shelving systems that are designed to consolidate pick-faces.

• Training Award - Sponsored by Mentor

Winner: Core Management Logistics (CML)

This award, which is given for training achievement and can be presented to an individual or an organisation, went to Core Management Logistics (CML). In August 2018, CML opened a dedicated purpose-built training centre where employees can learn in a comfortable environment away from their place of work and free from distraction.

The company has also introduced E-learning facilities and every month around one hour’s worth of training is added to every employee’s E-Learning platform. More than 5,000 E-Learning modules have been completed and feedback from employees has been overwhelmingly positive.

• Environment Award - Sponsored by SmartFreight

Winner: Durable UK

The Award to the company that demonstrates the most significant and successful application of ‘Green processes, procedures or monitoring’ during the year went to Durable UK. Durable has installed low-energy lighting at its UK office and the new lights are expected to save 51 tonnes of CO2 over the course heir lifetime. In addition, all lights throughout the warehouse and offices are motion sensitive, which means they save energy when not needed. Durable UK has also installed solar panels that produce enough electricity to power all electrical needs within the building.

• Infrastructure Project - Sponsored by Bito Storage Systems

Winner: Expect Distribution

This award recognises a new or improved logistics building or logistics park development and it went to Expect Distribution for the refurbishment work undertaken at its 193,000 sq ft ‘Woodlands’ warehouse facility. The refurbishment was carried out over a five month period at a total cost of £1.8m and the work included: a complete roof upgrade; removal of outbuildings; yard resurfacing; refurbishment of office facilities and the installation of state of the art CCTV systems with offsite monitoring.

• Customer Service - Sponsored by Luxonic

Winner: Arrow XL

During early 2018, ArrowXL set about developing a customer experience strategy. At its heart was a new customer satisfaction survey (CSAT). The CSAT survey allows ArrowXL to send an SMS message to each customer following a delivery or collection. The SMS asks customers to score their experience with ArrowXL and provide feedback, which helps the company to develop a greater understanding of how recipients of goods feel about the service they’ve received. The information allows ArrowXL to highlight potential problem areas and identify where further improvements can be made at specific points of the customer journey and, since its introduction, has allowed the company to further improve and refine its customer experience.

• Logistics Service Provider of the Year - Sponsored by Aisle Master

Winner: Culina Logistics

Culina Group is an ambient and chilled food and drink logistics specialist providing warehousing, distribution, contract packing and bonded services across the UK and Ireland. The business has a turnover upwards of £650million, employs 6,700 people across 62 sites, operates more than 8 million sq ft of warehousing and runs a fleet of 1200 trucks and 2,000 trailers. In 2018 the company acquired Robson’s - a market-leader in time-critical fresh produce logistics, and Foodpack – a move which significantly extends Culina’s overall offering.

Chairman’s Award - Sponsored by DP World London Gateway

Winner: Tony Mannix, Clipper Logistics

The UKWA Chairman presents this award to an individual or company who has made a real and lasting contribution to the logistics industry. UKWA Chairman, Graeme Undy, chose Tony Mannix, Chief Executive of Clipper Logistics, as this year’s recipient.

Tony Mannix started his career in logistics some 32 years ago working as a warehouse manager in the distribution arm of the Burton Group. He went on to work for a number of retailers before joining the Clipper Group in 2006. Through his drive and enthusiasm Clipper has grown over his 13-year tenure to become a £500 million company, and was floated on the stock exchange five years ago at which time Tony became Chief Executive of the Plc group.

Tony is also the driving force behind Clipper Logistics’ Fresh Start initiative - a group recruitment strategy that addresses the labour and skills shortage facing our sector by providing career opportunities to ex-offenders, people from minority groups and those living with physical and mental health challenges.

Graeme Undy commented: “Since its launch, Clipper’s Fresh Start campaign has given employment opportunities to 500 disadvantaged people – people that are, sadly, all too often overlooked in the job market.

“Tony is a fine example of all that is good about the logistics sector and the award is recognition of UKWA’s appreciation of everything he has achieved – and, no doubt, will go on to achieve in the years ahead - in a highly successful career.”

This year UKWA is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its inception. The Association was launched in 1944 when representatives from warehousing companies formed a Committee to discuss the storage and distribution of food and materials in wartime Britain. Originally known as the National Association of Inland Warehouse Keepers (NAWK), the Association changed its name to the United Kingdom Warehousing Association in 1994.

Today the organisation is the leading trade body dedicated to serving the needs of the UK’s logistics industry and has over 700 member companies – including third party logistics operators together with leading retailers and manufacturers – who, between them, control nearly 100 million square feet of warehousing space from nearly 1300 locations across the UK.